Cluster stem



Ap 1930. G. BROWN 1,756,675

CLUSTER STEM Filed June 27, 1928 Patented Apr. 29, 19 30 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE GREGORY BROWN, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASS IGNQIB, T0BRIDGEPORT BRASS COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT cnns'rnn STEMApplication fled June 27,

This invention relates primarily to electrical fixtures, and moreespecially to an improved cluster stem used as a part of certain formsof electrical lighting fixtures.

Cluster stems or the like are generally used to connect fixtures of thependant type with the ceiling or Wall supports therefor, and to provideconcealing means for the conductor wires leading to the light socketsthereon. In the past, many of these cluster stems have been made of twoor more parts among. which Was a cast or sheetmetalpart,having anopening therein for the passage of the electrical conductor wire. Theedges of this opening are, in many instances, rough and would abrade thecovering of the wire and either damage the insulation or the covering,destroying the usefulness and appearance thereof. Other parts which weregenerally provided, were expensive to manufacture and to assemble, beingmade in many instances, of solid stock in which threads and shoulderswere formed by machining the same and necessitating pins or otherfastening means to assemble them to other parts of the cluster stem.

One of" the objects of this invention is to provide an improvedelectrical fixture of the pendant type.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fixture supportengaging means, which will be economical to manufacture, light inweight, sturdy and of pleasing appearance.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved cluster stemor the like, for use with electrical fixtures.

A further object of this invention is to generally improve the structureof cluster stems or the like, to increase the usefulness and efficiencythereof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a structurehaving a tubularbody part, and an eye part, novel means to rigidlyconnect these parts together.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the novel featuresand combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an illustration of an electrical 1928. Serial No. 288,713.

fixture, embodying the features of this i11- vention; Fig. 2 is a viewof a cluster stem, embodylng the features of this invention;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of F ig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section of thetubular part of the cluster stem, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

' Fig. 5 is a section on ,line 55 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a section online 6- 6 of F ig. 4. Fig. 1 illustrates one form of an electricalfixture of a pendant type, wherein the features of this invention areembodied. In this figure, the numeral 10 indicates the ceiling or wallfrom which the fixture is suspended. A device commonly known as a hickey11, is connected to the electrical outlet box disposed within theceiling or wall 10. The hickey 11 is provided with the usual threadedstud 12. The electrical circuit wires 13 of the fixture are connected topower wires contained in the outlet box. 1

-A cluster stem 14 adapted at one end to be screwed upon the stud 12,extends in this instance, downwardly therefrom; The cir cuit wires 13are threaded through an open-V ing 15, provided in the side of the stem14,

passing downwardly therethrough and out at the lower end thereof, andare connected to the light socket 16. In their passage to the lightsocket 16, the wires 13 may. be I threaded in and out of chain links 17forming part of the fixture illustrated. A ceiling or wall cap 18 isgenerally provided and is retained in position to cover the upper end ofthe stem 14, as well as the opening in the wall, by means of a clampscrew 19, which is threaded through a part of the cap 18 and engages thestem 14. p

The cluster stem 14 comprises a'tubular body part 20, preferably formed.of thin sheet metal being, in this instance, a short length of drawntubing, and an eye part 21, formed of comparatively heavy metal wire.,The tubular body part 20 at one end thereof, is provided, during itsmanufacture, with a thickened wall portion 22. The exterior of theportion 22 is provided with corrugations or the like 23, to providefinger gripping tothe axis of the eye part 21 The interior of theportion 22 is provided with screw threads 24 for use in attaching thestem to the stud 12, or other fixture sup porting means.

The eye part 21 is provided. with a ring like base portion 25 integralwith the eye proper, which base portion is preferably but notnecessarily formed by bending the respective end of a wire blank (theintermediate portion of which is shaped to form the 'eye) in a planeperpendicular to the plane i passed therethrough against damage to itsinsulatingcovering by abrasion.

The part of the stem 14 is provided with an internal shoulder 26,formed, in this instance, "by spinning the material thereof inwardly,forming a groove 31 upon the-exteriorof the stem for decorativepurposes. The shoulder 26 is disposed inlposition to engage the. baseportion and limit the amount of its insertion into the end of part 20.After the portion 25 has been inserted into the part 20, the remainingend portion or end edge of part 20 is 'spunor turned inthe ring againstangular movement in thewardly and upwardly about the base portion 25,whereby the same is securely pressed and clamped against the shoulder26, and retained against removal'from the part 20.

The tubular body or shell and the ring shaped base of the eye memberhave integral interlocking means for positively holding shell, the metalof the shell in the ring-seating portion thereof being displaced bybending to present inwardly directed locking projections that engageparts of the inserted conductor-receiving member so that-the device maybe screwed into and out of place by manipulation of the outwardlyextending loop portion of the eye member. In this manner the eye and theshell are veryeifectively and permanently interconnected. In the particular example illustrated,'portions 27 and 28 that depend from thebase portion 25, to connect the eye part 21 thereto, are securelyengaged at either side thereof by portions 29 and 30 of the end portionor rim of the 7 month of the part 20. The portions 29 and '30 actagainst the depending portions 27 and 28 of the eye part to prevent itand its base portion 25 from twisting or turning relatively to the part20.

The above described structure and the novel manner of constructing thesame, provides an especially sturdy cluster stem or the like, which iseconomical to manufacture, light in weight, and sturdy and attractive inappearance. There are no separateparts, such as, a threaded bushing forengaging the support, requiring expensive tools to manufacture, and pinsor other means to assemble it to the tube, or an eyepartwhichis-threaded upon the endand may become loosened during use, norany parts which are likely to abrade the conductorrwire and damage itsinsulation and the-appearance of its covering.

l/Vhile I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of myinvention, it is understood thatit is notto be. limited to all of thedetails showrubut is capable of modification and'variation which willlie within the spirit of the invention and thescope of the appendedclaims. 1

What I claim is:

1. A cluster stem comprising a drawn tubular shell having a portion ofits sidewall near the lower end thereofspunto present an' inwardlydirectedshoulder, a conductor receiving element comprising a transversering-shaped base portion set in the mouth. of said shell against saidshoulder and having an integral depending longitudinal loop .or eye, thewall of said shell at the rim or mouth portion thereof and below saidshoulder being bent inwardly to hold said ringshaped part against saidshoulder, and integral means on the mouth portion of said'shell and onsaid conductor receiving element respectively in looking engagement witheach other to prevent said conductor receiving element from turning insaid shell. v

2. In a cluster stem, the combination of an elongated tubular shellhaving an inwardly directed shoulder. adjacent the lower end thereof, aneye member comprising an eye part depending from a ring-likebaseportion, said base portion'being formed'by bending inwardly the endsof an element of whichthe intermediate portion constitutes said eyepart, withsaid ends ina plane substantially perpendicular to said eyepart andcurved to form the ring, and means for securing said baseportionv in the mouth .of said shell against said shoulder with saideyeprojecting exteriorly of the shell. I I a r I 3. A cluster stemcomprising a -drawn-.tu' bular shell having a portion of its side wallnear the lower end thereof bent to present a transverse shoulder, and aconductor-receiving element comprising a ring-shaped base portion set inthe mouth ofes aid shell against said shoulder and having a dependingloop or eye outside of the shell, thewall of said shellat the rim ormouth portion thereof and below said shoulder beingfbent inwardly tohold said ring-shaped part against said shoulder and to lock said-ringlst shaped part a ainst rotation in said shell whereby said s ell may berotated by turning said loop or eye, said shell having a screwconnection at its upper end for securing it to a fixed support.

4. A cluster stem comprising a tubular shell of thin sheet metal havingan inwardly spun annular portion adjacent one end thereof creating aninwardly directed shoulder interiorly of the shell, an elementcomprising a ring-shaped base portion set in the mouth of said shellagainst said shoulder and having an integral depending eye, the wall ofsaid shell between said shoulder and the edge of the shell being bent orfolded to hold said ring-shaped base portion securely against saidshoulder and to interlock said base portion and shell against relativerotation.

' In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of June,1928.

- GREGORY BROWN.

